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BLAKE KUWAHARA

Redefining Optical Frame Design with Innovation and Elegance

Blake Kuwahara

believes that in our increasingly visual society, the impact of our environment and social circles on our choices and preferences is undeniable. With the omnipresence of smartphones, we have all become inadvertent photographers and documenters. Moreover, platforms like Instagram have transformed us into amateur art directors and editors. This realization forms the foundation of Blake’s approach to designing eyewear. Consequently, the essence of his life experiences and influences converges into a meticulously crafted collection.

Blake’s process

distills inspirations from art, architecture, fashion, interior design, travel, and culture through his unique visual filter. Consequently, the outcome is a curated eyewear collection reflecting a soulful, tactile, and artisanal sensibility. He believes eyewear should enhance, not overshadow, one’s personality. Achieving this balance involves labor-intensive production techniques and extensive handwork, resulting in a seamless fusion of inner and outer silhouettes. This generates a design tension that is both modern and comfortingly familiar.

Central to Blake’s personal philosophy

is the conviction that eyewear should not only look good on the face but also feel good in the hand. This commitment to quality is reflected in the intricate construction of laminating a “frame within a frame,” an approach that encapsulates His brands ethos—eyewear that is both “artful yet wearable.” This methodology creates a harmonious blend of contrasting forms and colours, embodying thier dedication to offering eyewear that transcends mere functionality.

The Grey Label!

The Grey Label embodies a unique philosophy by incorporating anatomical influences, particularly skeletal structures, into its designs. Drawing from his background as an optometrist, the creator skillfully uses endo-skeletal structures crafted through traditional techniques. Consequently, each frame is meticulously hand-cast and handcrafted, showcasing intricate joint and bone designs in the end pieces and temples. This careful focus on touch, feel, and workmanship ultimately highlights his goal of creating eyewear that seamlessly blends artfulness with wearability.

#designmatters

Blake Kuwahara's Grey label BK1021

BLAKE KUWAHARA

Renowned as one of the foremost visionaries in contemporary eyewear design

Blake Kuwahara stands as the founder and creative force behind FOCUS GROUP WEST (FGW), a Los Angeles-based design firm celebrated for its holistic approach to branding and design within the eyewear and fashion realms. A trailblaser in the field, Kuwahara unveiled his distinctive eponymous collection of sunglasses and optical frames in the autumn of 2015.

Armed with a doctorate of optometry from UC Berkeley

Blake’s journey to international acclaim began with the creation of the exclusive KATA Eyewear brand. As the mind behind KATA, he revolutionised eyewear design by ingeniously integrating engineering and production techniques to impart texture and intricate detail. This groundbreaking approach has left an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary eyewear design.

Beyond his eponymous brand and the trailblazing KATA Eyewear

Blake has lent his design prowess to a multitude of esteemed fashion houses. Notably, he has collaborated on eyewear collections for prominent brands such as Coach, Converse, Lucky Brand, and Rock & Republic. His creative influence extends to the world of high fashion, having designed eyewear for iconic New York-based designers including Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarafpour, and John Varvatos. Additionally, Kuwahara has crafted a collection for the legendary Japanese haute couture fashion designer, Hanae Mori.

Blake Kuwahara’s

multifaceted expertise and innovative design philosophy continue to shape the landscape of eyewear, reinforcing his standing as a luminary in the industry.

Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Spence' optical frame in midnight hue, blending modern aesthetics with timeless design for stylish functionality.
spence in midnight
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Randolph' optical frame in olive, combining classic and modern design with a refined, timeless silhouette.
randolph in olive
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Randolph' optical frame, featuring vibrant Pride colors, celebrating unity, diversity, and LGBTQ+ solidarity.
randolph in pride
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Portman' optical frame in light grey horn, showcasing its elegant, timeless design and intricate details.
Portman in light grey horn
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Delano' optical frame in frost color, highlighting its modern, sophisticated, and stylish design.
delano in frost
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Resnick' optical frame in tortoise color, showcasing rich brown and amber tones with intricate patterns.
resnick in tortoise
Blake Kuwahara's 'Scarpa' optical frames in Crystal with a black outer frame, featuring a sleek, translucent design that blends modern elegance.
Scarpa Crystal and midnight
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Sullivan' optical frame in gold, featuring a sleek aviator design with intricate temples, blending luxury and style.
sullivan in gold
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Doshi' optical frame in midnight black and crystal, blending modern style with a sleek, sophisticated silhouette.
doshi in midnight
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Nouvel' optical frame in riptide color, blending modern sophistication with artistic flair for a bold, stylish look.
nouvel in riptide
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Neff' optical frame in ink color, showcasing its modern design and sleek silhouette, perfect for a stylish eyewear collection.
neff in ink
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Fowler' optical frame in antique gold, blending vintage-inspired design with modern craftsmanship for timeless elegance.
fowler in antique gold
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Gwynn' optical frame in warm wheat color, combining classic and modern elements for sophisticated, stylish eyewear.
Gwynn in wheat
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Gwynn' optical frame in warm wheat color, blending classic and modern elements for a sophisticated, stylish look.
maybeck in antique brown
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Hastings' optical frame in sleek silver, featuring a modern design with clean lines and refined accents for timeless style.
hastings in silver
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Seidler' optical frame in sleek black horn color, showcasing a timeless design with subtle horn patterns for elegant versatility.
Seidler in black horn
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Hardwick' sunglass frame in black lizard color, merging modern aesthetics with classic elements for refined luxury.
hardwick in black lizard
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Buff' sunglass frame in midnight color, showcasing its sleek modern design that fuses style and functionality.
Buff in midnight
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Curlett' optical frame in dusk color, blending modern aesthetics with timeless appeal for a sophisticated, elegant look.
Curlett in dusk
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Kesling' optical frame in striking midnight color, featuring sleek lines and a modern silhouette for stylish elegance.
Kesling in midnight
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Buff' sunglass frame in Cypress color, blending elegant contours with modern elements for a stylish, refined look.
Buff in cypress
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Graves' optical frame in Tortoise color, featuring rich browns and subtle patterns for timeless charm and refined style.
graves in tortoise
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Volk' optical frame in black matte color, featuring a sleek minimalist design for timeless elegance and versatility.
Volk in black matte
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Meyer' optical frame in slate horn color, blending modern aesthetics with classic elements for stylish functionality.
meyer in slate horn
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Hardwick' sunglass frame in white lace color, showcasing intricate detailing and craftsmanship for timeless elegance and modern style.
Hardwick in white lace
Front view of Blake Kuwahara's 'Kuma' optical frame in peacock color, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship with sleek contours and intricate details for a luxurious, artistic look.
kuma in peacock
Close-up of Blake Kuwahara's 'Mansart' optical frame in rich berry color, blending modern aesthetics with classic influences for a sophisticated, fashionable look.
mansart in berry

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OUR BRANDS

The frames we offer are handmade by some of the best designers around the world who believe we are all individuals and that our eyewear should be celebrated. Most of our frames are limited editions, all are unique, and some are even bespoke – because you are the designer!

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